Author Archives: Martan Mann

There a many books which teach the theory of jazz. Learning the theory of jazz is important. However – what many pianists truly need is a method to expand their various jazz skills using that theory. To put this simply, competent jazz pianists play automatically. They “flip the switch” and the music flows out of…

Music is not about perfection. It is about feeling. Jazz, in particular is about groove. It is groove which gives jazz it’s identity, it’s purpose, it’s joy. You know groove when you hear it. You know what it feels like. The main issue is . . . how to develop a great groove in your…

We have often been told that “music is the universal language”. Another way to look at this is to consider music as a direct language of emotion. It is an instant access into the subconscious of the listener. It is powerful! I’m not an expert on brain functions, but I’m fairly sure that the same…

A key skill to develop in jazz piano is to become freely independent. This is the same as studying drums. Drummers all have the skill to play something in one hand, which is free from another hand, which is free from each foot. This is no easy task. Jazz pianists have to do this too.…